![page background](https://cdn.smore.com/u/backgrounds/custom_bg-62fe833e7154906fbfed8131-dba1aad9250c.jpg)
HMS Connection
![HMS Connection](https://cdn.smore.com/u/56f3/cf7ed800c563908fd574892d5ff53ac2.jpg)
Week of October 9, 2023
HMS News
Greetings from HMS!
In the near future you will receive instructions on how to view your middle schooler's progress using Aspen. Please keep in mind that this is only a check point. We encourage you to take this opportunity to assess how things are going, and make any changes to habits and routines that might be needed.
As always, if you would like to speak with a teacher about student progress, meetings can be scheduled through our main office by contacting Mrs. Kim Warner (kwarner@hinghamschoosl.org). In your email please indicate the teacher or teachers you wish to meet with and she'll help set it up
From the drawing board to fabrication! Grade Eight students are putting the finishing touches on their toolboxes. If you have a student in Grade Seven, keep Tech. Ed in mind as an elective choice for next year!
Stay Informed!
Want to have all school events downloaded to your phone?
Click this link to find step-by-step instructions on how to subscribe to calendars. Get started at hinghamschools.org/calendar.
We have also introduced an Athletics Calendar and Fine Arts Calendar. You can subscribe to these in the same way as the schools by going to hinghamschools.org/calendar.
It's a Jolly Holiday With Mary!
Hingham Middle School ids excited to announce that this year's Spring Musical production will be . . . MARY POPPINS JR. (Rehearsals and production to run December - March)
All HMS students in all grades are welcome and encouraged to participate! To make this school-wide project feasible with large numbers, we invite students to choose how they participate in the project, based on their year at HMS.
Grade 7 & 8 - Audition for the main roles in the show, or sign up to be in the Chorus (no solos, no audition necessary), or sign up for a Crew (backstage, makeup, lights, sound, props)
Grade 6 - No audition needed! This is your chance to see what it's like to be in a musical at HMS in a low-time-commitment way. You will be featured in one number of the show as Bert's chimney sweeps in the classic toe-tapper, "Step in Time!" (The following years, they can participate as an auditioned actor or crew member in Grade 7 & 8, but this is a great intro for both new actors and veterans alike!)
Please see the important dates below, and reach out to Mrs. Fish with any questions! mfish@hinghamschools.org
HMS MUSICAL DATES: MARY POPPINS JR.
December 4 - Info Mtg. @ HMS, 2:00 - 3:00 pm
December 11 - Grade 7 Auditions @ HMS, 2:00 - 3:00 pm
December 12 - Grade 8 Auditions @ HMS, 2:00 - 3:00 pm
Rehearsal Schedule - varies weekly, but after school M/T/Th(F), 2:00 - 3:00 / 2:00 - 4:00 pm
March 6 - Tech Rehearsal @ HMS, 6:00 - 9:00 pm
March 11 & 12 - Dress Rehearsals @ HMS, 6:00 - 9:00 pm
March 14 & 15 - Performances at HMS @ 7:00 pm
Wondering what's going on at HMS each day?
Prepare for Adventure!!!
The first HMS Adventure Club trip of the 2023 - 2024 school year is . . . Lookout Farm for Apple Picking and a Corn Maze on Thursday, October 12th after school from 2-6pm!
Space is limited to the first 30 students who sign up, but it's open to all students in grades six, seven, and eight! In order to attend, you must bring in the permission slip and fee DIRECTLY to Mrs. Duncan (Room 217 - 7th grade science) or Mrs. Giordani (Room 206)
We hope you'll be able to join us for this after school adventure!
Permission slips, trip announcements, and more can be found on our website: https://sduncan756.wixsite.com/hms-adventure-club/blank-1
What's In a Name? Help Name the New Elementary School Building
The new elementary school that will replace the current Foster School is set to open next fall. We are excited to see the building continue to take shape as construction is well underway. At this time, we are welcoming the community to share their suggestions for names of the new building.
We will complete two rounds of surveys. The first survey collects suggested names. The results will be shared with the school committee later this fall. After narrowing the names, we will provide the community with an additional opportunity to provide feedback on a narrowed list of names.
Once a name has been identified, the school committee submits a warrant article to the Selectboard to be considered for a vote at the Spring Town Meeting. Town bylaw states that naming a municipal building requires approval by Town Meeting.
The survey will be open through the end of October. See link: hinghamschools.org/survey
Thank you for your participation in this exciting process!
HMS Ski Club 2023 - 2024
We may still be waiting for the leaves to change color, but it's never to early to start hoping for snow!!!
Join the HMS Ski Club!
The HMS Ski Club will be traveling to Pats Peak on the following Saturdays:
- January 6, 2024
- February 10, 2024
- March 9, 2024
Student sign-ups for the ski club will begin in early November, so keep an eye on the HMS Connection!
Here are answers, in no particular order, to some Ski Club FAQ’s
The HMS Ski Club is open to students in all grades, 6-8. Sign-ups will be in November.
We have been going to Pats Peak for 20+ years. We like Pats because it is a small/medium size mountain with good proximity to Hingham. We have a routine and we stick to it.
We have great teacher chaperones that monitor the kids in the lodge and on the slopes. We set up our “base camp” in the Valley Lodge with a big red Hingham "H" flag. There is always an HMS chaperone there.
Pats sends us our lift tickets in advance so we are completely organized before we even leave HMS.
We use Yankee Line buses. They are bright yellow coach buses that you have likely seen on the highway. Yankee only employs competent, professional drivers and has a strict focus on safety. We communicate with Yankee, ad-nauseum, regarding traffic, weather and safety.
We leave HMS at 5:45 AM and arrive back here at 5:30 PM.
Before getting off the buses at Pats we review several time and safety reminders with the kids.
Pats Peak has a highly trained ski patrol and a full medical area. Prior to each trip our school nurses review the list of students and send us with the medication and necessities that each child might need. They will often make arrangements with parents in advance.
We stop skiing at 3:00 PM and leave Pats at 3:15.
Check out the Pats Peak website at patspeak.com
Mr. Riordan,
Mrs. Canney,
and Mr. McCulloch
MCAS results will be mailed home in the near future! Please keep an eye out!
Calling All Veterans!
HMS is proud to announce its SECOND ANNUAL Veterans Day Assembly & Breakfast!
Under the leadership of eighth grade teacher, Jennifer Driscoll and her US History & Civics students, this event will take place on November 9th at 8:30 AM at HMS.
If you are a Veteran, or know a Veteran (family, friend, neighbor), please fill out the form below to register for the event. Due to space constrictions, this event is limited to Veterans and students. Veterans will be treated to breakfast following the assembly.
If you are, or know a veteran who would like to participate, please complete the form
Grade Eight Washington DC Trip - Registration is Open!
Thanks to all who attended our follow-up informational session regarding the Grade Eight Washington DC Trip this past Monday.
If you were unable to attend, the slide show and registration information is available here:
https://trips.grandclassroom.com/Trip/Index/HinghamDC2024
Please note that the registration deadline is October 31, 2023.
In order to secure flights and hotels we need an accurate count as soon as possible, so please do not delay!
Information regarding financial aid will be made available early next week.
Please feel free to direct any questions to Mark McCulloch at mmcculloch@hinghamschools.org
Coming Events
Save the Date
- October 9 - No School
- October 18 - Coffee with the Principal, 8:00 AM
- PTO Meeting 9:00 - 10:00 AM
- October 19 - Picture Re-Takes. 2:00
- October 20 - PTO Grade Six Fall Festival, 2:00
- PTO Grade Eight Bonfire 7:00
- October 27 - PTO Grade Seven Halloween Social 7:00
Wondering what's going on after school next week? Check out our Week-at-a-Glance
Looking for something to do after school? These Clubs (and more) meet regularly!
PTO News
Grade Level Fall Parties and Socials
Preparations are well under way for our fall grade parties, which are happening later this month!
You must register and pay for your student ahead of time. Payments can be made via Venmo @HMSPTO-1103 or by sending cash/checks (made payable to HMS PTO) to the school main office. Please note your student's name with your payment. Thank you to everyone who has already signed up to contribute items or volunteer their time. There are still a few spots left so if you would like to contribute, please click on the relevant sign up link below.
6th Grade Fall Festival
Friday, October 20th, 2:00-3:30pm
Hingham Middle School
$15 per student, paid in advance
Volunteer and donate items here
7th Grade Halloween Party
Friday, October 27th, 7:00-8:30pm
Hingham Middle School
$20 per student, paid in advance
Volunteer and donate items here
8th Grade Bonfire
Friday, October 20th, 7:00-8:30pm
Plymouth River School
$25 per student, paid in advance
Picture Retake Day
Students who missed out on Picture Day last month, or would like a retake can have their picture taken on Thursday, October 19th, 2-4pm in the school cafeteria. Pictures are used for school ID's and yearbooks, so please be sure to have your middle schooler photographed even if you don't plan to purchase a package!
PTO Meeting
Our next PTO meeting will be held on Wednesday, October 18th, from 9:00 -10:00 AM in the school cafeteria.
Prior to the meeting, Mr. Smith will host a Coffee and Conversation hour. The focus will be on "Term 1 Progress; How are things going?"
All are welcome to attend!
Community News
Play it Safe! Hingham’s West Nile Virus Risk Level is now Moderate
The following information is shared from the town of Hingham Board of Health:
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) has determined Hingham’s Risk Level for West Nile Virus (WNV) is Moderate. According to the DPH, this risk level means infection with WNV is likely or has already occurred.
Prevent WNV infection by taking the following actions:
Be prepared: Know your risk -check this page regularly, repair screens, clean up to get rid of mosquito breeding sites, be aware of stagnant water on private property (e.g. unused swimming pools) and consult the local board of health.
Wear long sleeves and long pants from dusk to dawn when the weather permits.
Use mosquito netting on baby carriages and playpens.
Wear mosquito repellent when outdoors, especially between dusk and dawn.
Dump standing water twice weekly.
For more detail, visit https://www.mass.gov/info-details/massachusetts-arbovirus-update
Eyeglass Donations
Please consider donating older, used glasses to the Lions Club.
As a reminder, you can drop your old eyeglasses in the labeled box in the front entryway of HMS. All donated glasses are taken to the New England College of Optometry in Boston where they are cleaned, and repaired. Then they will be donated domestically and internationally by VOSH International (Volunteer Optometric Services for Humanity) to people in need in conjunction with much needed eye examinations and eye care.
Water Bottles in Schools
The Select Board, in the spring of 2023, adopted a town-wide policy that restricted the procurement, sale, and distribution of single-use plastic water bottles as of September 1 in the schools and municipal buildings. Beginning for the 2023-2024 school year, the school’s Food Services will no longer sell single-use plastic water bottles. As we start the school year, students are encouraged to bring their own reusable water bottles to school that can be filled out at a water bubbler or a water-filling station. Facilities staff have been working to ensure all of the schools water bubblers and water filling stations are operational for the start of the school year.
Hingham Youth Wrestling, K-8th Grade
Learn how to wrestle, build strength, flexibility and balance, and most of all have fun.
No experience necessary, anyone can join.
Sessions start Nov. 29th - March, on Mondays, Wednesdays, and occasional Fridays from 5:30-7:00pm (K-3th Grade, 5:30PM-6:30PM and 4th -8th Grade, 5:30PM-7:00PM) at the HHS Wrestling Room.
If there are questions, please contact Ben Nastou at bennastou@gmail.com or Chris Papavasiliou at papaveev@gmail.com.
A Message from the Hingham Unity Council
We want to hear from you!
Join us for our Community Night Out!
Thursday, October 5, 7:30-9:30 at the Hingham Community Center
What are you most concerned about in our community? How can we make Hingham more welcoming to all? Come join us, enjoy some light snacks and libations, and share your thoughts about our community to shape our future programming.
Free and open to ALL who live, work, study, worship or otherwise have a connection to Hingham but please register so we can plan accordingly: https://hinghamunity.org/event/community-check-in/